District 16 Hitmen: Top 7A Linebackers Ready to Dominate in 2025

With the 2025 season inching closer every day, I'm doing a linebacker analysis for every Classification/District/Region in Florida. There are a lot of young talented prospects and several sleeper prospects that could start getting looks for the next level. Prep Redzone Florida will always promote everybody in hopes of them getting the opportunity of playing college football at the next level. No other prep site brings you more prospects to check out than Prep Redzone Florida!   [player_tooltip player_id='1142221' first='Tyrel' last='Snelling'] – MLB – Booker T. Washington High (c/o 2026)   5'11", 210 lbs Stats: 112 tackles, 21 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles Honors: 1st Team All-Dade County   Evaluation: Snelling is one of the most productive middle linebackers in the 2026 class with elite instincts and an attacking mindset. He plays fast, flows to the ball with urgency, and rarely misses a tackle. His 21 tackles for loss show how well he diagnoses plays early and shoots gaps effectively. A downhill thumper with sideline-to-sideline range, he also holds up well in pass coverage, evidenced by his interception. He has true Power Five potential and is already playing like a veteran leader on the field.   Jaiden Henry – OLB – Palmetto High (c/o 2026)   6'1", 220 lbs Stats: 70 tackles, 17 TFL, 12 sacks Honors: 2nd Team All-Dade County Offers: St. Thomas University, Ohio University   Evaluation: Henry is an explosive edge presence with natural pass-rushing ability. With 12 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, he causes constant disruption in the backfield. He plays with great leverage and uses his hands well to disengage from blockers. At 6'1", 220 lbs, he has the size and motor to project as a hybrid OLB/EDGE at the next level. He sets the edge against the run and displays good lateral movement when dropping into the flats. A rising name with D1 upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='928365' first='Ethan' last='Barosela'] – OLB – Christopher Columbus High (c/o 2026)   6'1", 215 lbs Stats: 50 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 fumble recovery Other: Regional Champion in weightlifting   Evaluation: Barosela plays with excellent strength and leverage, which comes as no surprise given his weightlifting accolades. He's a powerful tackler with great lower-body drive and plays through contact with authority. His 6 sacks showcase his edge-rushing ability, and he consistently plays downhill with urgency. A high-floor linebacker who can develop into a major contributor for a strong defensive front. His physical profile and work ethic are already drawing attention from scouts.   Michael Harris – OLB/EDGE – South Dade High (c/o 2026)   6'6", 215 lbs | 3.1 GPA Stats: 30 tackles, 9 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 blocked field goal Recruiting: Over 35 Division 1 offers   Evaluation: Harris is one of the most coveted prospects in the state—and for good reason. At 6'6”, he's a rare combination of size, length, and athleticism. He's just scratching the surface of his potential, already showing the ability to collapse pockets and cover ground rapidly off the edge. His frame and wingspan allow him to disrupt throwing lanes and reach ball carriers other defenders can't. The blocked field goal is a glimpse of his special teams impact. He's a national recruit with high Power 5 ceiling and NFL traits.   Korday Melvin – OLB – South Dade High (c/o 2026)   6'0", 200 lbs Stats: 25 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Melvin is a developing outside linebacker with twitch and burst off the edge. He shows a good first step and has a knack for bending around blocks to apply pressure. While not as long as some of his teammates, he compensates with quickness and effort. Still refining his game, but the tools are there—especially as a situational rusher or strong-side OLB who can drop and chase. His progress will be worth monitoring as he gets more reps.   Dustin Charles – MLB – Palmetto High (c/o 2026)   6'1", 215 lbs Stats: N/A Notes: Transferred from Manatee High; attended Louisville Camp (June 6)   Evaluation: Charles passes the eye test with an athletic frame and fluid movement skills. He shows good field awareness and transitions well between run support and coverage. His physical tools and positional versatility make him a promising fit at middle linebacker or as a hybrid inside/outside backer. Having competed at the Louisville camp, he's beginning to gain exposure. Expect a jump in production this fall, especially as he adjusts to his new program at Palmetto.

With the 2025 season inching closer every day, I'm doing a linebacker analysis for every Classification/District/Region in Florida. There are a lot of young talented prospects and several sleeper prospects that could start getting looks for the next level. Prep Redzone Florida will always promote everybody in hopes of them getting the opportunity of playing college football at the next level. No other prep site brings you more prospects to check out than Prep Redzone Florida!